The Bowerman award was named after the great Oregon track and Field coach Bill Bowerman. Bill Bowerman has an unbelievable legacy in the track and field world. Not only was he an extremely successful athlete himself, he was the head track and field and cross country coach of the Oregon Ducks for 23 years. During his time at this position he lead the Oregon Ducks to a whole new level of success. He served as the National Collegiate Track Coaches Association’s vice president during 1958-59. Bowerman was one of the primary leaders in the formation of the United States Track and Field Federation. This was the beginning of establishing the system of federations to control individual sports in the United States that still exists today. Bowerman served as the head coach for the 1972 Olympic Team. He helped to inspire the Jogging boom in the U.S. that began in the 1970’s and on top of that, he cofounded Nike, one of the greatest shoe companies of all time that still to this day is one of the most lucrative and successful multinational corporations in the world.
What does it mean to receive this award? This award is given to the top male and female collegiate track and field athlete in the NCAA of the year. Receiving an award like this is astounding and is considered the “Heisman Trophy of Track & Field”. This year the Female Bowerman Award was given to Raevyn Rogers of the Oregon Ducks. Raevyn Rogers is the third woman from the University of Oregon to win this award in the past four years joining Laura Roesler and Jenna Prandini.
This indoor season, Rogers won the indoor title for the 800-meter run at the NCAA’s, and during her outdoor season at the Mt. SAC Relays, she clocked in at 1:59.10 earning the new collegiate record in the 800-meter run. Rogers later went on to win the NCAA Division I Outdoor Track and Field Champion title in the 800-meter run. This isn’t the only year she has done an indoor-outdoor sweep. She then anchored the 4×400 setting a record with her team and helping the Ducks win the first Triple Crown in NCAA Division I women’s history. This is the first time a women’s team won cross country, indoor and outdoor track and field titles in the same year. Needless to say, this is an astonishing accomplishment for the Ducks. Raevyn had an enormous impact on the success of herself and her team and her triumph lead her to win this impressive and honorable award.
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